Isolation Vs Community

Last Sunday, both Phillip and I explored isolation/standing alone versus being in community. As Phil pointed out, it is getting easier and easier to isolate, yet so many of us are choosing to be in community, seeking connection. With Jamie and Frida’s help, we demonstrated how a single person can only handle so much pressure from the world, but a community bound by covenant and love can withstand anything. So what do you want to do? Do you want to give in to the easy life of solidarity? Or do you want to be a part of a growing community? If you want to fly solo… cool. You’re done. Stop reading.

I want to help make our community stronger and grow. If you want to do the same, then I have some homework for us. Let’s each call 3 other members of our community this week. Let’s call three people we normally don’t talk to (use the directory). This might seem strange but can be really effective. Just ask how they are doing and see where the conversation goes. You never know when someone could really need a phone call. Who knows, you might make new friends : )

To Parents: Talk to your kids about this, have them call some friends from church. Other kids or adults that you know. Model this activity for them and engage them. They need to grow with us too!

Let’s build community!

Water Village: Covenant

Last Sunday we explored the story of the Water Villagers and their covenant. In this story, the Water Villagers were so busy working on their individual goals that they started fighting. They realized they didn’t have an agreement on how to treat each other. They needed a covenant. So the children and I talked about covenants and how they are a set of promises that we make to one another. These promises guide us in how we behave and treat each other. Then we co-created a covenant for the Water Villagers in the story.

We ended up playing a game where we tossed an invisible ball of love around the room. Each participant had to focus when they had the ball, then throw it to someone else who had to be sure to catch it. It took a lot of focus from the whole group. Everyone had to make sure they were paying attention to where the ball was. Then we had a conversation about why we played this game, and I asked how this game is like a covenant. We had some great answers about working together and love, but my worship moment was when a child said: “We can’t see it, but we know it’s there and can feel it.”

So this week I suggest talking to your children about covenants and your family covenant, spoken or unspoken.
Why are covenants important to our faith?
Why are covenants important to you?

If you don’t have a spoken family covenant, maybe now is the time to make one!

Maybe work with your children to think of other groups in their life who have an unspoken covenant. Remember to highlight how covenants are not rules. It’s not like the rules at school.

Covenants are not used to punish misbehavior and are not forced on anyone. They are a tool, based in promise that guide us in our relationships together. Like a compass 🙂

Popcorn Theology: Up

Come join us Friday, August 25th for a viewing of Up. Event starts at 6:30 pm. Movie starts at 7:00 pm. After the movie we will engage in a one hour discussion around the movie’s themes and how they relate to our UU faith. This event is multigenerational and pizza will be provided.

Super Secret Project initiated!

We have a group of teens with a cool project in the works. At the time we are skyping on Thursdays and meeting every few weeks. The community will see the project on Ingathering, September 10th. If you know a teen who would like to be involved, please contact Tyler Burley.

Multigenerational Total Solar Eclipse Trip

Want to visit Charleston and worship in the oldest UU church in the south? Want to witness the beauty and wonder of a total solar eclipse? Don’t mind riding in a cramped passenger van and sleeping side by side your fellow congregants? Than this is the experience for you! We are leaving Saturday August 19th to visit Charleston UU and will stay through Monday August 21st to witness the total solar eclipse. Seating and sleeping arrangements are limited. Email [email protected] for more information.

Youth Group Leader Training & Planning Day

Join us in the Darwin room Sunday, August 27th at 12:30pm to be a part of our vital Youth ministries including House of Walenthorpe (6th grade and above) and our new and upcoming Teen Ministry. Will you empower our young to change the world? Do you have what it takes? Let’s find out! Sign up by emailing [email protected]

Children’s Chapel Leader Training

Join us in the Fletcher room Sunday, August 13th at 12:30pm to get trained as a ‘Lava Champion’ and lead our children’s worship service in the Water Village! Our Children need loving, caring, and creative adults to guide them in worship. Will you inspire faith in our children? Can you live up to the task? Sign up on August 6th in the Social Hall or email [email protected]